“Can we go home now?” Emma asked in a very small voice.

I pulled a gray plastic chair up to the mattress and sat down.

I pressed my palms flat on my knees.

I had to keep my voice perfectly steady.

“We have to stay here for now,” I said.

“The doctors are helping you.

We have to stay at the hospital until the doctors say we can leave.”

“Why did Aunt Vanessa get mad at me?” Emma asked.